Humanoid (Dream Warriors Book 1)

Chapter 19

CHAPTER 19

Gentle burbling water penetrated the stillness of the undisturbed woodland as I ambled along sandy soil en route to Laura River meandering below the campground. Morning sunrays glistened between the skinny branches of soaring reddish-brown stringy tree trunks. Large clusters of small white flowers poked out from their rich green willow-like leaves, generating a hint of light in the dusky shadows.

 Jalun's tall, lithe frame deployed with robust precision and grace, strolled beside me, an arm casually lying across my shoulders. Misty walked behind us, deep in her own thoughts whilst Kiah and Blake, arms entwined, mooched up front.

Colourful, yet unfamiliar images swirled inside my head, replaying memories of yesterday's dance performances. Birds twittered from their perches upon ancient bowed branches, and bees buzzed amongst exotic blossoms of flowering trees, in tune with my jumbled thoughts.

We intended to take a dip in the cool waters of the Laura River, a section allocated by the festival authorities for spectators and competitors. Savannah woodland debris crunched under foot, alerting our silent group someone approached from the direction of the river. A lone male appeared from between the trees, a welcoming grin touching his thick lips. He wore blue jeans and a khaki shirt, a cloth badge sewn above the pocket with the word 'Ranger' embroidered in light-blue thread.

 'Hello Colin. Have there been any croc sightings?' Kiah asked.

 'Morning ladies. Fellas. A saltie sighting came in yesterday afternoon. I suppose it depends on what you're comfortable with?' Colin scanned Blake, standing rigidly next to Kiah. 'I've been swimming this morning and had no concerns.' Droplets of water clung to the ends of his tight, black curls and damp patches circled the collar of his shirt. 'Use caution people, as always,' he injected, resuming his journey towards camp.

We continued along the worn track to the riverbank, content in the knowledge we'd be safe with Jalun and Kiah. Climbing a sandbank stamped with footprints, we descended upon a cluster of mangroves at the apex of a deep section of the river and a small clearing running alongside it. Echoes of laughter and childish shrieks resounded from the mint-coloured waters, advertising a gang of fully clothed Indigenous kids, splashing and jumping into the makeshift lagoon.

'Crikey!' Blake said under his breath. 'Brave kids.' He walked within a metre of the water and peered over the bank. 'Not feeling it, so I'll scoot over there until you're all done.' He sat on the dirt, steering clear of the water's edge.

Muscles tense, I examined the river for signs of crocodile snouts or ravenous vertical pupils lurking above the surface. Uncertain about the terrain, I looked to Jalun for support. He removed his t-shirt and flung it over a low branch, diving straight into the water. Lithe, yet muscular, his perfectly formed physique distracted my thoughts away from the likelihood of a crocodile ambush. He swam like a fish, but I'd already seen firsthand his confidence in the water at the campus swimming pool.

Kiah whipped off her ribbed vest and revealed a mauve crop-top underneath, which matched her deep-purple shorts. Hardly a slosh lapped against the bank as she entered the tranquil waters. Blake watched the entire process, oblivious to anything other than the girl in his sights.

Clad in a green sports bra above jersey taupe shorts, I shoved away from the bank, propelling my upper body through the river. Misty sat with Blake, probably out of sympathy rather than fear or a lack of skill because she loved swimming as much as me and Kiah. Not an inch of guilt passed through my mind with my decision to leave Blake in her capable hands. Carnal lust demanded the closeness of my man.